Ramses Bekkenk took the first stage in Iron Bike from Tenda to Limone over 34 kilometres on Saturday. The Iron Bike is known as one of the toughest stage races there is because there are many sections of the race where the bikers have to walk. In total the race lasts eight days in which 600 kilometres have to be ridden and 23.000 altimeters to be climbed.
Today teammate Karen Brouwer won the Saarschleifen marathon over 98 kilometres by beating German Katrin Schwing. ‘I really had to battle for the win today and it took me half an hour to recover after the race. Immediately when I caught up with Schwing she managed to escape several times again. I decided to do the same and left her behind when I caught her again.’, stated a happy Brouwer.